Racism - what a heinous act and an ugly word. It is a subject that is full of controversy - in the past and present. I cannot believe that there are still those who believe that they are better than or supreme to others or consider others as less than human because of skin color, language, customs, place of birth, religion or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person. Islam fought racism head on and did not leave any doubt about condemning this behavior, and declared that in the religion of Islam there is no racism and all people are equal.

This was confirmed by the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (PBUH), who said there is no difference between an Arab and non-Arab and between white or black but except in piety (believing in God and doing good deeds and to move away from evil ones, obedience to Allah, etc). The quotation “all men are created equal” is part of the US Declaration of Independence, which is supposed to have given a solid foundation for the creation of a new nation and the country kept going and became the strongest country in the world despite a devastating civil war, but this is not the point.

History tells us that we are in the 21st century, when everything has moved further and man has made so many advancements and added to his knowledge and should act in accordance with that. In the US, George Floyd was already under control and could be handcuffed and placed in the police car, but the stubbornness of the police officer lead to his death, or so it was alleged. What happened to him can happen anywhere around the globe because of an individual’s behavior. What is also alarming is that the other three officers at the scene were being trained by this officer, which makes it more alarming and scary.

We must learn from our behavior and remember our mistakes very well so that we do not make them again. The tragic events that took the life of Floyd in the United States, though unwarranted and uncalled for, can be a great lesson we all can learn from and hopefully it will be the last such act, although there were many like it in before. Let us restore our humanity and go back to basics and act as God wanted us to act, or at least as our human instinct of loving and good deeds wants us to be. Rest in peace George Floyd.

Final Word: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself”.

PS: Please note that the word MAN for me means both genders, and there is no difference whatsoever between the two.